Centering scale or rule for centering- typewritten or other work



R.B.FUNK

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5,1916.

Patented June 22, 1920.

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BUFUS B. FUNK, AOF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD TYPEWBITEB COMPANY, OF N EW'YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

CENTERING SCALE-011mm Fon CENTERING TYPEWRITTEN on. q'THEa wonx.

' Specication of Letters Patent. Patented June '22, 1920.

Application led February 5, 1916. Serial N. 76,440.

To alli'ufhom it may concern Be it known that I, RUFUs B. FUNK, a citizen of the United States of America, re-

siding -at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centerlng Scales or Rules for Centering Typewritten or other Work, of which the following 1s a specification.

It frequently is necessary to make lan accurate line and page copy of typewrltten matter, and centerthe headings and tabular matter accurately.` In doing work of thls character it is customary for typlsts. to laboriously count the'lines for line spacing on a sheet, then count the spaces covered by the longest line on the sheet, then calculate the center of the sheet, and, if there are subheadings or tabular work to be placed off center of the typewritten page, the number of spaces required must be mentally counted and the point of center for such set ofi" work must be calculated. All this is laborlous, takes time, and reduces the possible amount of work of the typist during the days work.

It is one of the objects of my invention to eliminate the uncertainty of such mental calculations, and to make such calculations mechanically, thereby increasing the amount of work which may be accomplished by a typist in a given time, and at the same time enabling the typist to turn out neater. and more accurate work.

Although herein specifically disclosed as applicable to typewritten work, my invention is of general application, and may be adapted to work of any desired character by spacing the scale indications in accordance with the appropriate units of measurement.

Figure 1 is one face view of a rule embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view.

Fig. 3 is aview of the reverse side of the rule.

The reference character A designates L,a ruler primarily intended for stenographers, but inasmuch as it is provided with inch and fractions of such indications it may also serve all the purposes of an ordinary ruler, thus'this improved ruler will eliminate the necessity of having a special and an ordinary ruler in an oflice.

The character or letter space indications B may be arranged along the letter spacing scale C ationeedge of the rule and the scale lcorresponds with the character or letter spacing scale found on all typewriters. Of

course, this scale will be made for. the usual,

elite, and other letter spacing.

Immediately below the row of numerals of the letter spacing scale C is a row of numbers of designations D arranged in spaces E twice the width of the'typewriter letter epa-ces as contained in scale C. The spaces may be numbered from left to right, as may also the typewriter letter spaces. The numbers D of spaces E may be used to determine the center ofv a sheet of paper or of one or more typewritten words; or to indicate how many spaces to the left of any given point on the typewriter scale the writing should be begun to center one or more words over such given point. This is done in connection with scale C. Scale C is laid over the typewritten matter and the number of the typewriter scale space C appearing on the last letter of the said typewritten matter we are measuring is, of course, the length of such typewritten matter as measured by spaces of a typewriter. The num# ber D of the spaces E appearing just below or to the left of the number of scale C measuring, in the manner described, the length of the typewritten matter indicates the center of the same and also the number of spaces writing should be begun to the left of any given point on the typewriter to' lrul'erand just below or to the left of our as- "certained number of spaces, as numbered on scale C, the number D of spaces E indicates the desired information, as shown above. For instance, say we are given a heading which we desire to center over point 33 of the typewriter scale. By the use of scale C, as otherwise above shown, we nd the head` ing contains 28 spaces. Below the 28 the space of scale C the number D of spaces E is 14, which indicates that writing should begin 14 spaces to the left of point 33 of the typewriter scale, or at point 19 of the typewriter scale, to center this heading, and this also indicates that 14 spaces is the censhall now refer to such centers as desired. centers in connection with the objects of this At the left end of the ruler, as shown 1n the drawing, is a vertical column of numbers K between horizontal lines H. These numbers K represent possible desired centers, that is, points on'the typewriter scale over which it may be desired to center headings. To the right of numbers K on lines H appear numbers F in spaces G. Spaces G are equal tol and immediately lunder spaces E, but the numbers F appearing 1n spaces G are, in the form herein dlsclosed, numbered reversely to the numbers D of spaces E and also reversely to the numbering of the typewriter scale. The numbers F used in connection with scale C and numbers K are for the purpose of indicating exactly at what point on the typewriter scale to start a heading t center it over any desired center. For instance, we nd that a heading has 35 spaces by the use of scale C, in the manner illustrated above. If we wished to center this heading over point 33 of the typewriter, point 33 thus becoming our desired center, we run down the vertical column of numbers K until we find desired center 33. We then run along the line H on which desired center 33 appears until we are immediately under the 35th space of the typewriter scale, as shown by scale C. The number F of space G there appearing is 16, which is the point on the typewriter scale at which to commence the writing to center this heading over desired center 33. If the desired center does not appear inthe vertical column on either face of the particular ruler being used, we select the desired center appearing on the ruler which next approximates the desired center needed in this case, and by adding or subtracting one or more spaces from the result thus found, as the case may be, the result is the same as if the exact desired center and the scale applicable thereto were used.

For instance, in the case just illustrated, had desired center 33 not appeared among the numbers K, we would have used desired center 30, which does appear, which would bring us to number 13 of space G immediately under the 35th space of scale C. By adding to 13 the difference between 30 and 33, or 3, we have 16, or the same result as found in the former case by using desired center 33.

About seven of these possible desired centers is as many as would be practical on each side of a ruler, making 14 in all, but

along the ruler to aid the from 10 to 14. of these should be quite sulficient for most purposes. There are, however, many tabulations as much as 36 inches wide and, in order to supplement these rules and afford a ready reference to every possible center for every possible number of spacesin any heading up to 360 spaces or 36 inches or so wide, there may be a printed scale to accomy pany each ruler which embodies the principles of my ruler but which allows for 360 more or less different sized headings and for 360 more or less different possible centers, sized so that in connection with this printed scale any size rulerbe used for the largest tabulations. y,

These columns of desired centers of numbers K may be inserted every few inches e e in following the row on the proper line This may be done by inserting numbers K of a smaller print or of different color in divisions yof spaces G, as illustrated in the drawing.

Although for certain purposes the vertically arranged desired-center numbers K are of special utility, as above set forth, the usefulness of applicants scale or ruler is in no manner dependent upon these numbers. Under many circumstances, the scale may be used as readily Without these vertically arranged desired-center numbers as with them. For example, should it be desired to center typewritten work, which has already been typewritten on one work-sheet, at a certain. point upon another work-sheet, the letter-space distance of said point from the left-hand margin of the work-sheet would first be determined-bymeans of the typewriter character-spacing or letter-spacing scale C. Let it be assumed that the desired center, in a particular instance, is thus found to be at letter-space 35. The opera.

tive would then glance along the centering scales between the horizontal lines H for one of said scales including the number 35. By reference to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the first scale between the horizontal lines H is found to contain the number 35 just below. and slightly to the right of the number 10 of the scale C. This number 35 would then be placed at the left-hand margin of the typewritten work to be centered. The operative would then read from the same centering scale the number in line with the right-hand margin of the typewritten work which will indicate, in units of the letterspacing scale C, the number of letter-spaces from the left-hand margin of the worksheet at which the typewritten work should be commenced in order to be centered at the required point which was found to be at letter-space 35. If, -in the problem selected above for illustration, the number 23 had been found by the operative to be in line with the right-hand margin of the typewritten work, this would indicate that the typewriting should be commenced at the 'twentythird lspace from the left-hand margin of the work-sheet, in order that the particular work to be written should be centered at line 35. When used in this manner, it is unnecessary to provide a separate centering scale for each letter-space at which work is to be centered. By a proper selection of the numbers, work of various widths may be positioned at practically any desired point on the work-sheet by the use of three or four such centering scales.

A line spacing rule is provided on the bottom edge of the ruler to be placed vertically on typewritten matter to determine the number of lines on a page to be copied, whether single, double, or triple space. This rule will indicate how many typewritten lines can be placed in a given space, or in the blank space remaining, on any given paper. The value of the scales applicable to the typewriter spaces lies in their fleXi bility or shifting application. They apply.

to a typewriter of any number' of spaces in width and to any desired point on the typewriter scale whatever its length, 72 or 18() spaces, and to any desired part of any width sheet of paper, whether 6 or 18 inches.

Typewriters are adjusted to make with one motion of the hand either single, double, or triple space. The line-space rule` at the bottom edge of this ruler measures without mental calculation the number of typewritten lines of 'whatever spacing and is intended as a completed and practical rule for that purpose, as well as for measuring the number of lines of any desired spacing which may beA inserted on any remaining blank space or whole or fractional sheet.

The different edges of the rule are marked in fractional parts of an inch. The division of the letter space rule of an ordinary typewriter is in tenths, fifths, and halves of an inch. The divisions of the line space rule are sixtlis and thirds ofv an inch for the ordinary typewriter. One end of the ruler may have inscribed on it an inch rule divided into regular half,'quarter, eighth, and sixteenth-inch spaces, and the other end may be divided into still different fractions of an inch, so that this ruler will more than take the place of the ordinary rule used in an office, such rules indicating only halves, quarters, eighths, and sixteenths of an inch.

This rule justreferred to as being at the bottom of the ruler has line spacing indications between which there are line numbers M beginning with 1 and running consecutively to the end of the ruler. bottom row of spaces F and the bottom edge of the Aruler there are lines N, .0.' P, extending longitudinally of the ruler. The spaces between these lines are divided, as shown, by extending the line spacing indi- Between the and others 'to the line l), between the bottom edge of the ruler and the line N. The numbers indicate how Vmany single space typewritten lines can be copied in a given space, or how many'single space lines there are on a page. Similarly the numbers between the lines N and indicate the number of double space typewritten lines, and the numbers between the lines O and P indicate the number of triple space typewritten lines.

The reverse side of the ruler may have indicated thereon a continuation of the typewriter scale and divisional figures as described above, and at the bottom edge of this side of the ruler may be placed a standard inch rule, or a typewriter space rule for different width of letter spacing.

The figures may be made in such manner that they maybe readily followed andthe principle Vapplied to any length of rule. The usual rule is 12 inches long, and this length may be used, or it may be made eight inches which is the usual widthvof an ordinary typewriter paper, and the ruler may be composed of but this length, or it may be made longer, the extra length being devoted to advertising, instructions, erasing shield holes, etc. There may be more or less rows of selected centers.

Several tables may be centered over different parts of the same page or matter under several subdivisions of a large table may be centered by its use.

his rule aids one to quickly select centers for these various divisions and to form and write out the whole table.

This ruler' will leave nothing to guess,l

but tells the typist or one revising matter exactly where to start headings or divisions, or exactly how much matter he has to write and'exactly how much space he will need for it or if the space he has is sufficient, and exactly how many lines of single, double, or triple space he has left on a page, or how many such he. needs, and will save time in centering headings especially if one has to be exact or in copying and revising tables, and leaves very little to mental calculation and the consequent frequent mistakes.

To center a table or the heading of a table over a given point, say 30, place the ruler on the heading On salt, in barrels, boxes,l

cases, or sacks, and we find that there are 43 letters and spaces. Immediately below this 43rd space shown by the rule for selected center 30 the ligure 9 appears at which point on the page this heading should be started to center it over point 30 on the page. The average typewriting paper is 8 inches, or 80 spaces, wide. To center this heading in the middle of the page the selected center to be chosen would be 40, and the scale for this center under the space 43 indicates that this heading should be started at 19 to center it on the sheet.

Vhat I claim is: y

l. A rule having scale indications along one edge corresponding to the letter space scale of a typewriter, a second scale adjacent to the first-named scale divided into half the number of indications of the first scale, a series of centering indications disposed below the scales and having a definite centering value with the said letter space scale to indicate the point on the typewriter scale at which the work should be commenced for centering at any desired point and a column of desired center indications disposed transversely with reference to said centering indications.

2. A rule having scale indications along one edge corresponding to the letter spacel scale of a typewriter, a second scale adjacent to the first named scale divided into half the number of indications of the first scale and both numbered from left to right these numbers being used in connection with cations in register with alternate characterspacing indications, and the indications of both series being numbered consecutively in the same direction of increasing order of magnitude, beginning at a common origin.

5. A scale for locating typewritten matter on a worksheet, said scale comprising a series of character-spacing indications, spaced in accordance with the spacing of consecutive characters as written by a typewriter, and a plurality of series of work-centering indications, the indications of the various series being arranged in parallel, the distance between any two successive work-centering indications being twice that between two successive character-spacing indications, said character-spacing indications being numbered consecutively from an origin at one end and said work-centering indications being numbered consecutively from the opposite end, each series beginning with a different number, so that corresponding work-centering indications oi different series will be of different denomination.

6. A scale for locating typewritten matter the first named scale indicating the center on a worksheet, said scale comprising a of the matter measured, and below these series of character-spacing indications, Scales a Scale Consisting 0f a Series of rows spaced in accordance with the spacing of of indications spaced the same as the seC- consecutive characters as written by a typeond-named scale but numbered from right Writer, and a plurality of series of workto left, said numbers used in connection with centering indications, the indications of the the first named scale indicating the point various series being arranged in parallel, the at which writing should be commenced, a distance between any two successive work` fourth scale consisting of vertical columns centering indications being twice that beof numbers extending transversely to the tween two successive character-spacing indithird named scale, said numbers representcations, said character-spacing indications ing elective points for centering matter to being numbered consecutively from an origin be typewritten and on which the numbers at one end, and said work-centering indicaof the third named scale are based and t0 tions being numbered consecutively from which they apply.

3. A rule for typewriters having a letter scale on its top edge, a scale below the first named scale and of the same length comprising one half the indications of the first one end to the other, each series beginning with a different number, so as to provide for a wide variation in the location of matter on the work-sheet.

7 A scale for locating typewritten matter named scale and numbered from left t0 on a work-sheet, said scale comprising a pluright, a scalebelow the second named scale rality of series of work-centering indicacomprising several scales similarly spaced\tions, the indications of the various series to the second named scale but numbered being arranged in parallel, the distance befrom right to left, a fourth scale conslstlng tween any two successive indications being of vertical columns of figures extending twice the character-spacing distance of contransversely to the third named scale at secutive characters as written by a typedi'erent points on the rule, and a Slngle, writer, the indications of the different series double, and triple vertical typewritten space being numbered consecutively in the same masuring vScale at the 10We1 edge 0f the direction of increasing order of magnitude, ru e.

4, A Centeringscale comprising a series different series beginning with different 0f character-spacing indications, spaced 1n numbers, so that corresponding indications accordance with the spaclng of consecutive 0f different Series will be of different; decharacters as written on a typewriter, and a nomination.

beginning at a common origin, and those of series of centering indications, the distance between any twosuccessive centering indications being twice that between two successive character-spacing indications, the indi- `cations of the two series being arranged in parallel with the successive centering indi- 8. A scale for locating typewritten matter on a work-sheet, said scale comprising a plurality of series of work-centering indications, the indications of the various series being arranged in parallel, the distance between any two successive indications being twice the character-spacing distance of consecutive characters as written by a typewriter, the indications of each series being numbered consecutively from one end to the other, and the indications of different series beginning with different numbers, so as to provide for a wide variation in the location of matter on the work-sheet.

9. A scale for locating typewritten matter on a work-sheet, said scale comprising a series of character-spacing indications, spaced in accordance with the spacing of consecutive characters as written by a typewriter, and a plurality of series of centering indications, the distance between any two successive centering indications being twice that between two successive characterspacing indications, the indications of the various series being arranged in parallel with successive centering indications in register with alternate character-spacing indications, the character-spacing indications and the centering indications of one series being numbered consecutively in the same direction of increasing order of magnitude beginning at a common origin, and the centering indications of dierent series beginning with different numbers so as to provide for a wide range of variation as to the points at which work of varying widths may be centered with a scale of given length.

10. A work-centering scale comprising a series of measuring indications spaced at distances each equal to one unit of: a given system of measurement, and a plurality of series of centering indications spaced at distances each equal to two units of the same system of measurement, the indications of the various systems being arranged in parallel and numbered consecutively from one end to the other, the numbering of the single unit measuring indications beginning at an origin at one end, and the double unit centering indications of different series beginning with different numbers, so as to provide for a wide range of variation as to the points at which work of varying widths may be centered with a scale of given length.

11. A scale comprising a plurality of series of indications spaced at distances each equal to two units of a given system of measurement, the indications of the various series being arranged in parallel and numbered consecutively from one end to the other, the indications of different series beginning with different numbers, so as to provide for a maximum range of usefulness for a scale of given length.

In testimony whereof I atx my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

RUFUS B. FUNK.

Witnesses:

CHRISTIAN F. HIMMLER, E. L. GADDiiss. 

